Former priest pleads guilty to track invasion charge

A 56-year-old former Catholic priest today admitted getting on to the track during the British Grand Prix and trying to disrupt the race.

Cornelius "Neil" Horan indicated a guilty plea to a single charge of aggravated trespass at the Silverstone circuit when he appeared via video-link at Northampton Magistrates Court.

The case was adjourned until September 1 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

Horan, from Howbury Road, Nunhead, south-east London, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the five-minute hearing.

There was no application for bail and he was remanded in custody.

The charges relate to an incident during the grand prix at the Northamptonshire circuit on Sunday July 20, which was won by the Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello.

A television audience of millions world-wide watched as Horan breached security and faced down cars wearing a tam o'shanter and kilt and carrying religious-themed placards.

The protest took place on the fastest part of the course, the Hangar Straight, where speeds can reach up to 200mph.

Several drivers had to swerve to avoid him and the safety car had to be deployed to protect participants.

Horan, who is originally from County Kerry in the Irish Republic, was eventually wrestled to the ground by a race marshal, arrested and taken for questioning.

Opposing an application for bail at Horan's first appearance in court on July 21, prosecutor Suraj Minocha said Horan's actions put not only himself at risk but the drivers, marshals and the public.

The lawyer told magistrates it was "very clear" his actions were deliberate: he bought his ticket in advance, was carrying a change of clothing and placards and was fully aware of F1 racing.

Horan's actions were designed to promote his religious beliefs and he told police he acted because his previous attempts to get his views aired in the Press and via politicians had failed, he added.

These included a protest on the centre court at the Wimbledon tennis championships during a break for rain, as well as cricket and rugby matches.

Minocha said Horan told police he was not going to go on the track but added: "When he saw an open gate in the perimeter fence, he claimed this was a sign from God and then changed his mind and took his demonstration on to the circuit."

Applying for bail, Horan's lawyer Paul Carter told the bench his client was an "eccentric" who had been treated for depression for a number of years and was on incapacity benefit.

He was a man of strong moral views and had been "on sabbatical" from the priesthood for the past nine years.

Carter said Horan carried out the demonstration because the opportunity arose and there was no evidence to suggest he was attempting to commit suicide.

He added: "It certainly would have been a mortal sin for him to have killed himself or for that matter others.

"Those intentions were not on his mind at this time. He tells me he's never hurt a person in his life and would not do so in the future.